Beyoncé Releases Album Featuring Classic 18th-Century Aria

Beyoncé

It seems the whole world is buzzing about Beyoncé’s latest album release, Cowboy Carter. Described as a love letter to her Southern roots and a sprawling Western epic, the latest album from the 42-year-old megastar includes her takes on Dolly Parton and Paul McCartney and collaborations with stars including Willie Nelson. But it’s number 11 on the album, “Daughter,” that’s got the classical music world particularly excited.

Talking points: Moody track number 11 on Cowboy Carter, “Daughter,” includes a sampling of “Caro mio ben” by Tommaso Giordano. The aria was composed in the 1780s and has been recorded by Cecilia Bartoli and Luciano Pavarotti among countless others, and is a fixture in the curricula of many young voice students. In Beyoncé’s rendition, she branches away from her signature style of singing, lifting her soft palate to unleash the acoustic power and vulnerability of an unamplified, classical singer.

The takeaway: Since the album’s release, music critics have been almost unanimous in their praise of Beyoncé’s ability to defy and reinterpret genres with mastery and singularity. Her take on this 18th-century aria is no exception. Bravissima, Queen Bey.

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Sara Schabas

Sara Schabas is a Dora-nominated soprano, writer and yoga teacher. She has performed and created leading roles with companies including Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, the Dayton Opera, and Aspen Opera, and is a former member of Barbara Hannigan’s Equilibrium Young Artists. Currently based in Montreal, she is a doctoral student at McGill University — where she recently received the Wirth Vocal Prize — and editor of Art Song Canada magazine.